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Donald Trump Is A Fascist

December 7, 2015

The statement could have been made at any time over the past months. But today there is just no way for anyone now to deny that it is a fact.

Donald Trump is a fascist.

Today Trump said that the US should institute a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United State”. Like the vast majority of my fellow Americans who first heard that news my jaw surely slacked, my eyes must have narrowed, and bile started to rise. We have all been repulsed with that nativistic jingoism of Trump over the months but today the pot of stupidity boiled over.

I realize that we are in a time where many still have not bounced back from a strong recession years ago, or have an inability to adjust to cultural changes underway and therefore feel the social angst more than most. I do not grasp how people have such hard times finding their way forward in a changing land, but I can accept that many do.

Donald Trump plays to those in the nation who have resentments–mostly lower educated and lower-waged white people. He plays to their fears and lack of reasoning. Trump’s race-baiting is front and center. He is a supreme bigot, and plays to the ones in the land who hold those hatreds.

Trump is like many other unhinged men throughout history with visions of grandeur who want the masses to think they can be powerful and secure national supremacy if only they give the reins of power to the one asking. Look at images from a Trump rally and listen to the words and then think about history–the chilling chapters of history where men asked of the frightened or weary to allow ‘the leader’ to be allowed to show his greatness.

First of all, you’re …..slightly older than I am. (and slightly more grey, Lol!)

Look, my whole point is that one should not blithely claim that some things shouldn’t be uttered. My fear is that people certainly grasp your broken record argument and yet their concerns and fears run deeper than you can see. Not everyone is ignorant of Islam and there is more to its “moderate” practice than you are willing to admit.

One last point: perhaps you could begin with the assumption that if not all Muslims are not terrorists, then perhaps all conservatives are not racist homophobes. It seems intellectually sloppy to demand we be tolerant to Muslims but also have to read that conservatives are teabaggers. You can’t argue one type of hate is terrible and use the language of hate to describe those who disagree with you.

“Telling frightened people they should not be afraid is pointless. You need to engage their fear.” FDR’s words, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” may be salient to the boogy-man approach conservatives Tea-publicans and Trump followers apply to ALL who follow the tenants of Islam. Exactly how many times people need to hear the truth — that ISIS and Al Quada have bastardized the religion the beliefs radical Islamists claim to follow?

“You need to engage their fear.” I assume that means presenting facts to those who fear persons whose religious beliefs are different from theirs. Radical Islamists are NOT following the teachings of Mohamed. (It doesn’t take extensive reading to determine the truth of this statement. )

The beheadings of journalists and humanitarian workers has been profoundly repulsive — as repulsive as the Nazi death camps. But it is wrong to say Muslim is a radical waiting to kill someone is un-American and, frankly, defies logic and reason. It’s the same unt

“What is there in Islamic culture that I should not be afraid of?” Not a whole lot. What is there in the behavior of radicalized Islamists to be afraid of? A lot!

(BTW, if you listen to the words of the Republican candidates — all of whom pride themselves on their conservative politics — as they condemn Trump, they’re using the exact same words President Obama used during his Sunday speech from the Oval Office.)

And what I have said, and continue to state is that reasonable and intelligent people have to step up and get the facts to the rest who are unable or unwilling to understand. Recall–and I suspect you are about my age–how in the late 80’s the fear of AIDS was driving people to do and say some truly awful things. But it was then also that education mattered, facts mattered, getting the word out over and over again from the press and those in society who needed to speak up to quiet the masses who were just wrong. That is again the case now. It all comes down to which side we wish to line up with.

I’m glad you have enjoyed your reading. however, if you go to the cnn site, you can see video of the latest attempted beheading in London. (Literally, right now) So I don’t think the problem is Donald Trump, but I do agree he is a hateful bigot and terrible candidate for president. Back during the Abu Graib scandal we were warned that these images would recruit more terrorists. Perhaps all the images from Paris over the past year, from London, and from California are having a larger impact on the public than you imagine–or at least the press.

I make my statement based on a background that is rooted in reading about the topic. From the work of Karen Armstrong—who I wish I had been able to meet during her Madison visit years ago–to Bruce Feiler and the most impressive writings of Reza Aslan–to name three–have allowed me to better understand the facts and history of the faith and not get swamped by the less informed who only wish to make a statement or grab a headline. Head down to your local mosque–many have times for the local community to visit and talk. Get to know real people of the Islamic faith.

Why should it never be suggested that we are in a war or culture clash with Islam? Seems like this is an idea that needs serious examination, debate, and clarification. Telling frightened people they should not be afraid is pointless. You need to engage their fear. I’m afraid that you don’t want to look at the question honestly because you are afraid of discovering the answers.

What is there in Islamic culture that I should not be afraid of? Where are the examples of this in the world that I might look to to see the truth of Islamic culture? Unless you address questions like these, all those frightened people are well justified in their fear.

I so agree with you Badgerbabe. We are not in war or culture clash with Islam and it should never be suggested that we are. To do so as Trump is makes for a much harder time for our policy makers, diplomats, and soldiers to do their jobs.

Edward R. Murrow’s analysis of Wisconsin Sen. Joe McCarthy — that it will turn out that McCarthy’s political performances and rhetoric will/could turn out to be a “comfort” to this country’s enemies — will turn out to be an accurate characterization of Trump. His words may actually fuel more terrorist actions against the U.S. along with substantial discrimination and suffering of decent, non-violent/non-terrorist Muslim citizens here. What is even sadder is the number of “patriotic Christian citizens” who continue to support Trump’s ugly rhetoric and demagoguery. Almost as bad is the way national news reporting corps continue to pander to Trump and give him what he wants — coverage of his ugly brand of politics.